Economic decline blamed on foreigners exit, insecurity

KABUL (Pajhwok): President’s special representative for reforms and good governance Ahmad Zia Massoud on Sunday said the withdrawal of foreign forces and insecurity contributed to the country’s economic decline.

Addressing a gathering marking World Labour Day, Massoud said the unity government was committed to improving the country’s economic and security situation. He said establishment of economic institutions was mandatory for economic development.

The special envoy said encouraging foreign direct investment in agriculture and industry sectors and establishment of food storages were the government’s top priories.

Massoud said labour community was cycle of the country’s economy and with implementation of government strategies, labourers would soon witness positive change in their lives.

Nasrin Oriakhel, labour, social affairs, martyrs and disabled minister of, expressed concern over the increasing unemployment in the country.

She said around 40 percent of the country’s labourers were jobless. She said women’s empowerment programme would help three million women become self-reliant.

The minister said the process to dispatch labour force to Saudi Arabia would be kicked off soon. Earlier her ministry had announced sending as many as 25,000 laborers to Saudi Arabia.

Mohammad Maroof Qaderi, head of the Labour Union, said the government should create work opportunities for labourers and attract foreign investment in the country.

Shapor, a labourer, who was waiting at Shaheed Square of Kabul for client to hire his services, said he had been unable to find work since the past one week.